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About India Outbound Magazine

India Outbound is India’s only B2B travel media platform, that encompasses a print magazine, a website, an online TV channel and dynamic social media platforms, entirely dedicated to the promotion of foreign destinations and products in India. India Outbound is a niche platform not just for tourism destinations and products to promote themselves to the Indian travel industry, but also for decision makers to build/change their strategy in a context where the Indian outbound market is not only growing but changing with new dynamics. These trends, India Outbound analyse and predict them.

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OTOAI announces the theme for its fifth convention

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) is holding its fifth convention in Antalya, Turkey from March 15-18, 2020. In realisation of the importance of millennials in today’s travel scenario, the theme of the convention this year is ‘Creating Travel Synergies for New Millennials’ and will focus on finding ways and means of tapping the millennial segment through which they can increase the business numbers.

“The convention this year will not have business sessions but ‘Knowledge Talks’, which are scheduled in the first half of Day 2 of the convention on March 16, 2020 while in the second half the travel agents will get an opportunity to interact with the Turkish travel trade. We are receiving extremely positive response to the convention and are confident that it will be one of the best-ever conventions for OTOAI,” said Himanshu Patil, vice-chairman and convention chairman 2020, OTOAI.

The topics of the Talks will cover millennial travellers and their expectations, role of AI and digital technology in tourism, innovation and challenges of outbound tourism. Day 3 of the convention has been reserved for sightseeing and will allow the delegates to enjoy some time at leisure for shopping or to just explore the city on their own.

Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports releases statement on coronavirus

The ministry of tourism and sports, Thailand has said that they are working in close tandem with the related government offices and private entities, like the ministry of public health, hospitals, healthcare facilities, tourism and sports operators, travel agencies and tour guides to determine the appropriate guidelines for monitoring and containing the spread of the 2019-nCoV, particularly with operators in the tourism industry, sports, and communities concerned.

To follow up on the latest information and carry out a timely assessment of the impact on tourism, the social listening mode is actively engaged to source accurate and up-to-date information from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s domestic and international offices and other reliable sources, such as ministry of public health, Immigration Bureau, and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Communications via a single message format will be relayed to relevant units inside and outside the ministry.

Public relations in Thai and English languages are ongoing to focus on and assuage any health concerns and to assure Thais and foreign visitors of travel safety. The Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) and Tourist Police Command are coordinating with the Department of Disease Control (DDC) and Immigration Bureau to assist travellers who need to alert authorities or seek help.

Turkey marks 57 pc growth in Indian tourist arrivals in 2019

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism India revealed that between January to December 2019, Turkey has registered a 57 pc increase in the number of Indian tourist arrivals in comparison to the same period last year, hosting 230,000 Indian visitors. In 2018, Turkey hosted 147,000 Indian visitors while the numbers started to increase drastically from 2019.

With such positive growth rate recorded, the Turkey Tourism is expecting a growth of approx 35 pc in the Indian tourist arrivals by the end of 2020. The latest official statistics also revealed that 51.9 million foreign tourists visited Turkey within the period of January to December 2019, indicating 13.7 pc increase from the previous year.

Turkey has emerged as a popular destination for Indian travellers across categories. From leisure travel to FITs, Indian weddings to MICE summits, there has been a significant increase in all segments. This year Turkey witnessed a substantial surge in the number of big budget Indian destination weddings across Turkey. Similarly, MICE travel to Turkey increased at an incredibly fast pace.

Skål International promotes Nepal as destination of the year 2020

Skål International has signed a collaboration agreement with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for the project Visit Nepal 2020 Lifetime Experiences. This sponsorship will benefit from the strategic brand positioning of Skål International, by partnering and benefitting from a worldwide visibility.

Nepal, as Skål International destination of the year 2020, was presented last September during the Skål World Congress 2019, as a country full of culture, adventures and different faces for different sides of tourism. A place for those who are not afraid of insane altitudes and are keen on climbing the highest mountains, kayaking and rafting in the rivers and even staying in the world’s highest hotel. The project ‘Skål International Destination of the Year’ will permit any city, region or country to have a strategic sponsorship to enhance the destination promotion worldwide.

Magical Kenya targets 20 pc growth in Indian tourists in 2020

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) exhibited at OTM Mumbai, one of India's largest travel trade exhibition, to position Kenya as the preferred holiday destination and to provide a business networking platform for the Kenyan travel trade to engage with key tourism stakeholders in the Indian market.

KTB participated in the event with operators and DMCs that included African Quest Safaris, Golden Holidays and Travel Co, Heritage Hotels, Private Safaris, Safari Trails, Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, Serena Hotels, Silverbird Travel Plus, Simba Lodges and WildTrek Safaris. They showcased the destination's authentic experiences to the travel fraternity of India. The Indian market has grown to be the fifth largest tourism source market for Kenya. KTB embarks on an ambitious mission to steadily achieve 20 pc growth during the year 2020.

Speaking on this occasion, KTB chief executive officer, Betty Radier said, "India is a market that excites key players in the Kenyan tourism sector due to its potential for growth. Statistics also show us that Kenya is making strides in this respect, with arrivals into the country from India recorded at 122,649 in 2019. We want to ensure that we leverage on the tremendous relationship Kenya and India has had over the years to increase the numbers from this market."

High Commission of Rwanda-New Delhi hosts ‘Rwanda-The Royal Tour’ workshop in Mumbai

The High Commission of Rwanda-New Delhi, India, and Rwanda Development Board organised a workshop called ‘Rwanda – The Royal Tour’ on February 5, at The Westin Mumbai Garden City and put together by Inspiration Unlimited. The workshop was organised to familiarise the travel trade and media to Rwanda – the land of a thousand hills.

The event was attended by Joseph Kabakeza, first counsellor and acting high commissioner of Rwanda in India, Mucyo Rutishisha, second counsellor, Rwanda High Commission-New Delhi, India and Michael Savage, founder and managing director, African Unique Safaris Ltd–the first Australian registered DMC in Rwanda.

Speaking at the event, Kabakeza said, “There’s a lot more to Rwanda than the mountain gorillas. Our country is business friendly. Also, the direct flight from Mumbai to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, by RwandAir has really facilitated the travel between the two countries. Our visa on arrival facility is yet another added advantage. And, of course, we also offer lip-smacking vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food.” However, he further added, “But, I would recommend that when in Rwanda, please do try our local variety of fresh vegetables, and I promise you, you will be pleasantly surprised.”

Currently RwandAir flies thrice a week from Mumbai to Kigali and will increase its frequency once it resumes its flights on Guangzhou route.

OTOAI signs MoU with Destination Canada for promotion of Canada in India

OTOAI & Destination Canada have once again signed a MoU for 2020 for promotion of the destination in the Indian market and also holding training workshops for the OTOAI members across India. These training workshops will enable all OTOAI members to better understand how to promote the new itineraries and tourism products for Canada, enabling them to ensure they stay updated on what’s new and can promote Canada as the preferred tourism destination from India.

Destination Canada wants to promote Canada as a product for leisure and incentive with focus on the idea that Canada is not only a summer destination but also spring and fall, along with promoting the winter wonderland concept.

Speaking about the winter wonderland in Canada, Carl Vaz, Destination Canada India Office representative and CEO & strategy director of Charson Advisory said, “The winter wonderland concept is about snowmobiling, dog-sledding, ice-fishing, ice wine, living in an igloo, seeing the aurora borealis - the northern lights in the fall season. That’s what we want to make the Indian market aware about Canada.”

SriLankan Airlines reduces flight frequency to China

SriLankan Airlines is rationalising its services to China in accordance with current market conditions as per its long-held commercial policies, with a temporary reduction of frequencies to several cities. This is to better reflect present passenger demand in the wake of a significant reduction in the number of Chinese travellers venturing overseas following the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic.

Many airlines have already reduced frequencies to China due to the drop in demand, reasons for which include restrictions by the government of China on overseas travel of its own citizens. These include four Chinese airlines that operate between Colombo and several Chinese cities.Market conditions are constantly evaluated as part of SriLankan’s commercial policies and the reductions are effective from February 6, 2020 until March 28, 2020. SriLankan currently operates services to three cities in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai and Canton. The number of weekly flights to Beijing is being reduced from four down to two; Shanghai from four to two; and Canton from seven to three.

SriLankan is deploying the aircraft released from the China flights to increase capacity in other regions, including upgrading of the Colombo-Abu Dhabi sector to a wide-body aircraft, and to advance scheduled heavy maintenance activities on several aircraft.

ITB Berlin convention to address the role of digitalisation and sustainability in tourism industry

Digitalisation and sustainability are two topics that are currently of decisive importance in the global tourism industry. They are key for tourism professionals everywhere, regardless which market they represent. Without an elaborate digitalisation plan and a far-reaching sustainability strategy it will be impossible to ensure solid progress and long-term opportunities for the future. These are the aspects and topics that participants will address at the ITB Berlin Convention 2020 as part of the outstanding programme of events at the CityCube Berlin. Experts, researchers, industry executives as well as policymakers will provide information in their keynote speeches – with numerous discussions and interviews also on the agenda.

A new event will be kicking off the convention on March 4 at the first ITB Responsible Destination Day where participants can explore the topic of socially aware travel behaviour. The focus will be on the prospects for reaching sustainability goals. In line with the growing importance of digitalisation, it will occupy a prominent role at the convention. There are also sessions addressed to climate change, global warming, sustainability, ground mobility and also influence of social media.

Visit Korea hosts grand shopping, culture and tourism festival

Visit Korea Committee is hosting the “Korea Grand Sale 2020,” a shopping, culture, and tourism festival for foreign visitors, from January 16-February 29, 2020 throughout Korea. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the event invites foreign tourists to experience rich and colourful joy of Korean tourism under the concept, ‘Inviting you to the Korea GrandSale.’ The festival does not only provide discount benefits for shopping, airfare, and accommodations, but it also fosters Big 5 Promotions for K-Culture contents including K-Pop, K-Food, and K-Beauty that are gaining more and more attention from the people all overthe world.

All eight Korean airlines are participating in the event with discounted routes and special price event promoting regional routes. Additionally, special discounts are available at over 200 hotels and more than 300 restaurants throughout the country. Other benefits include the train that runs the airport railroad, as well as K Travel Bus and EG TourBus, the local bus tour services.

At duty-free shops, immediate discounts or discount coupons are provided according to one’s total spending amount. Doota Mall, a shopping mall where foreign tourists can shop for their beloved Korean brands as well as international brands, will offer the goods by MONSTA X, the Korean idol group, on a first-come, first-serve basis.


India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group